In the last 3 weeks we visited the four islands and atolls in the Pitcairn Archipelago (Pitcairn, Ducie, Henderson, and Oeno). We conducted 384 individual dives, spending a total of over 450 person-hours underwater. We counted and measured underwater 40,210 fishes, 5000 sea urchins, 6300 coral colonies, and 14,500 algae. We had a handful of sunny days and calm seas, and many days with big swells, wind and rain. We observed extraordinary things, from the pristine reef at Ducie Atoll formed by pale blue corals looking like giant roses, to the sharks moving elegantly, like synchronized swimmers, over a sandy patch at Henderson Island. We found species never reported before for the Pitcairn islands, including algae, corals, reef fishes, and some deep sea sharks that we still need to identify. All in all, it was an extraordinary experience.

Pitcairn was rough, windy and rainy, surrounded by a halo of murky water. Yet, we saw schools of hundreds of rudderfish grazing on the rocky bottom. And we discovered a previously unreported deep coral reef. Most important, we found a welcoming community of Pitcairners who made us feel at home on that big rock in the middle of the South Pacific.

Ducie was paradise: a coral ring surrounded by crystal clear waters, luxurious coral reefs, and healthy fish communities dominated by top predators such as sharks. Ducie was the most pristine of the four islands.

Henderson was mysterious, with the edges of a green thick forest hanging from dark limestone cliffs. Underwater, we found curious sharks that followed us during our re-breather dives.

Oeno was the atoll that did not want to reveal its secrets – because of rough seas. With persistence and patience we found very abundant carnivores of small to medium sizes, including ubiquitous groupers red and yellow, white and brown, and with all the colors of a peacock.

Now our team will spend a few months analyzing all the data we collected, selecting from the footage we took and editing a National Geographic documentary. The most fun is past, and now the tedious work of data analysis and writing begins. However, the memories of this expedition will be with us forever.

I cannot think of enough words of acknowledgement for the institutions that collaborated in this expedition and made it successful: National Geographic Society, Pew Environment Group, Spain’s National Research Council, US Geological Survey, University of Hawaii, US National Park Service, University of California Santa Barbara, and the phenomenal crew of the Claymore II, who made our work possible in safety. We are very grateful to the Pitcairners at large, who hosted us in their homes and showed to us the secrets of their island. Thanks to the Pitcairn Council and the office of the Governor of Pitcairn, Ducie, Oeno and Henderson for authorizing our stay and providing research permits. And last but not least, we are indebted to our mission partners that made the expedition possible: Blancpain and Davidoff-Cool Water.

Comments

Having visited Pitcairn on ms Discovery, I am delighted to hear a marine reserve will be declared in that area. I hope all goes accordingto plan.
Fascinating work and photos.

Melva Evans

Pitcairn Island

October 9, 2012, 2:17 am

ia’orana (or, should I say, hola?)
Once again, this morning, I viewed the docu and am awed, amazed, and grateful to live surrounded by the stunning jewel that is our ocean. Your expedition reveals with astounding clarity just how precious this marine ecosystem truly is. Congratulations on a brilliant production! Without a doubt, it helped to ‘seal the deal’ on the community’s unanimous vote to proceed with the establishment of a marine reserve.
Thank you so very much for your participation in making our decision so easy to make! Please come back to visit, to enjoy our pristine waters and our hospitality. You guys rock!
maururu.

melvin

canada

July 18, 2012, 8:59 am

always been facinated about the story and history of Pitcairn Island. Great research guys and pictures too. Will this be on the History channel. Thier should be t.v. specials on Pitcairn Island. Then more peaple will know about this island.

SAVETHESEA

New Jeresy

June 3, 2012, 9:01 pm

Thank you for all of your hard work! And thank you for all of your commitment and your passion. I now know I am not alone! Thanks so much, it is much appreciated!

Thank you for sharing such beautiful pictures, you & your teams hard work is appreciated & admired by many.

Jayashree

India

April 12, 2012, 5:14 am

After seeing these feel like being there atleast once in a life time. Thanks to National geographic

Allison Harris

Washington, D.C.

April 8, 2012, 5:53 pm

Thank you for your fascinating work! We will look forward, with eager anticipation to your reports and documentary. A facebook page with continued information would be wonderful! Blessings on your adjustment to the return to the “real world”. It must be difficult to leave paradise, but I am sure the positive marine ecological benefits from your work are well worth it.

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Pristine Seas is an exploration, research, and media project to find, survey, and help protect the last wild places in the ocean. These pristine places are unknown by all but long-distance fishing fleets, which have started to encroach on them. It is essential that we let the world know that these places exist, that they are threatened, and that they deserve to be protected.

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